Duke superstar freshman Jabari Parker played put on a show at MSG Thursday night, and after playing in Carmelo Anthony’s house, Parker says the comparisons of his game to Melo’s are accurate. Per Zagsblog:
After a magnificent performance at Madison Square Garden, Jabari Parker dressed three stalls away from Carmelo Anthony’s locker in the Knicks’ locker room and humbly proclaimed that he and Anthony have a few things in common.
“Yeah, it’s a good comparison,” Parker said after going for 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists as Duke beat UCLA, 80-63, in front of a capacity crowd that included Bruce Springsteen, Tyson Chandler and Tim Hardaway Jr.
“He mastered the fundamentals. He’s always good at his craft. He works on it and that’s a person I’ve been looking up to, so yeah, that’s good compliment.”
UCLA coach Steve Alford embraced the comparison independently.
“I know we’re in New York City, but there’s a lot of Melo in him as far as guy that can stretch you to the 3-point line,” Alford said. “He can drive the basketball. He creates space off the dribble to get jump shots. He can take you to the post, so I just think he’s a very, very talented, gifted player. And you don’t see a lot who are this polished 10, 11 games into their freshman year.”